Previous research has linked poor mental health among people living with HIV to a greater likelihood of participating in risky behaviors. “Untreated mental illnesses can be detrimental to the health and well-being of younger patients with HIV and may place others at risk for being infected with the virus,” says Laura B. Whiteley, MD. Exploring Disparities Few studies have explored disparities in the receipt of mental healthcare among adolescents and young adults living with HIV. To address this issue, Dr. Whiteley and colleagues had a study published in the Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,706 HIV-infected adolescents and young adults aged 13 to 26 who were engaged in care. According to findings, there was a significant disparity in mental healthcare utilization for psychiatrically symptomatic African-American adolescents and young adults living with HIV. “African-American youth with psychiatric symptoms were significantly less likely than non-African Americans to have received mental healthcare and psychiatric medications,” says Dr. Whiteley. Conversely, Latinos were more likely than non-Latinos to report receiving mental healthcare. The lack of disparity also extended to sexual minorities and impoverished or homeless youth and young adults. Targeting Efforts Information from the study may help clinicians target efforts to overcome barriers for managing this specific patient population. “More initiatives to engage African-American youth and young adults who are receiving medical care could be needed,” Dr. Whiteley says. She adds that efforts should be made within all HIV treatment sites to reduce disparities for minority patients. The focus of these efforts should be toward educating parents, patients, and providers about common...

Published research has shown that type 2 diabetes is associated with about a twofold greater risk of dementia among older adults, but it is unclear if the risk of dementia for people with diabetes varies across racial and ethnic groups. “Over the last 10 years, much has been learned about the connection between type 2 diabetes and dementia risk,” says Rachel A. Whitmer, PhD. “Rates of both of these conditions continue to rise as the population ages and as there continues to be growing ethnic diversity among older patients. Because type 2 diabetes increases the risk of dementia, it’s important to understand the risk of dementia among older adults with type 2 diabetes who are from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.” A national public health goal has been set forth to eliminate health disparities. This makes it increasingly important to understand racial and ethnic differences in diabetes-related complications, including dementia, among older adults. Studies have reported that the prevalence of dementia is higher among African Americans and Caribbean Hispanics, lower among Japanese Americans, and similar among Native Americans and Mexican Americans when compared with Caucasians. However, knowledge about racial and ethnic differences in dementia risk has not been thoroughly investigated among people with type 2 diabetes. Exploring Racial & Ethnic Differences In Diabetes Care, Dr. Whitmer and colleagues had a study published that examined if there are racial and ethnic differences in the 10-year incidence of dementia among individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed more than 22,000 culturally diverse patients with diabetes aged 60 and older who did not have preexisting dementia and were part of the...